Alexander Rossi, the Andretti Autosport driver in the Verizon IndyCar Series who calls Indianapolis home, made a surprise appearance at Indianapolis Colts practice Monday, at the NFL team’s training facility in Westfield, Indiana.
After practice, when franchise quarterback Andrew Luck was answering questions from the media, an unassuming “reporter” for WRTV, the ABC TV affiliate in Indianapolis, asked if “Napoleon Dynamite” character Uncle Rico inspired Luck’s new facial hair look. Luck entered camp with his trademark beard but shaved it all off except the mustache following the Colts’ preseason opener Aug. 9.
Luck quickly recognized the Uncle Rico reference from the 2004 cult movie hit, if not the reporter asking the question.
“I’m going to throw a football over them there mountains,” Luck said with a smile, quoting the film’s character.
After a couple laughs, Rossi revealed himself as the reporter. Just like with his lightning-quick passing release, Luck was so ready to fire back at Rossi with a joke of his own.
“Did you have enough fuel to get here today?”
Luck, obviously, was poking fun at Rossi’s dramatic 2016 Indianapolis 500 win, which required a bold fuel strategy. After another round of laughs from the surrounding media, Luck apologized.
“That was a bad joke, I’m really sorry.”
Luck is a regular attendee of the Verizon IndyCar Series races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May. What he may not have known is that Rossi is an avid fan of the rival New England Patriots.